By Fritz Edelstein
March 6, 2006

For the past seven years, mayors across the country have participated in School Building Week. Each year the Council of School Facility Planners International (CEFPI) has sponsored a national program during one week in April to emphasize, recognize and highlight effective learning environments and bring awareness of the importance of school buildings as a resource for the whole community.

In 2006, School Building Week is being held from April 17 through April 21. Mayors are being asked to participate in any one of a variety of ways to bring attention to school facilities in their city because better schools build stronger communities. Some of the possible activities include: the mayor proclaiming the week as school building week; visiting an historic school in the city and explaining its importance to the city; organizing an event to emphasize the importance of quality school buildings; holding a design competition for students on the school of the future; or focus on one of five themes of the week.

Each day during the week has a different theme. They are: Monday, April 17 – Healthy School Day; Tuesday, April 18 – Historic Schools Day; Wednesday, April 19 – Senior Citizens in Schools Day; Thursday, April 20 – Schools as Centers of Community Day; and Friday, April 21, School Building Day.

For more information on how your city can participate or examples of activities in which your city can hold, please contact Barbara Worth of CEFPI at 480-391-0840 or barb@cefpi.org. Also, visit the CEFPI website for more information at www.cefpi.org.